How to Write a Legacy Letter

Understanding and communicating your values is a critical component of financial planning.

However, one often overlooked aspect of this is making certain that your intangible assets, such as your values and life lessons, are remembered and passed down to future generations.

Writing a legacy letter is one effective way to accomplish this.

Legacy letters have been used for centuries by people of all faiths to share their life story and pass down their values, beliefs, and future hopes.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become engrossed in the technical details of your estate planning and lose sight of the big picture.

Writing a legacy letter allows you to step back, reflect on your life and what is most important to you, and ensure that your legacy lives on.

What is a legacy letter?

A legacy letter is a way to communicate your love, values, beliefs, and wishes for future generations. It can also serve as an opportunity to express gratitude, share wisdom, or make amends.

Not only is it a meaningful gift to yourself and your loved ones, but it also becomes a living document that can be passed down for generations.

It's important to note that a legacy letter is not so much about tangible assets, but about the impact you hope to have on your community and family.

There is no specific time limit for writing a legacy letter. Births, graduations, marriages, religious events, and holidays may inspire you to write or update a letter.

A legacy letter can be written, videotaped, or audiotaped.

However, I recommend that you use the format in which you are most comfortable expressing yourself.

It is not the length of the letter that matters, but rather that it reflects your voice and answers questions that your family may have.

It's also important to note that a legacy letter is not a legal document, so it may not be appropriate to include all legal details of your wealth transfer plans. That is what your will and estate documents are created for.

However, you may choose to add greater context to your financial plan so that your family understands the factors that motivated your choices.

An interesting example to mention would be former president Barak Obama's legacy letter to his daughters.

In 2017, President Obama wrote a letter to his daughters, Sasha and Malia, which was released publicly. In the letter, he shared some of his personal thoughts and reflections on his time as President, and what he hopes for the future.

He also shared some of his values and life lessons that he wanted to pass down to his daughters.

The letter was widely praised for its honest and heartfelt nature, and it serves as an example of how a legacy letter can be both personal and impactful.

Final Thoughts

Writing a legacy letter is a powerful way to express your values, beliefs, and hopes for the future.

It's an opportunity to share your life story and pass down your intangible assets to future generations.

I highly recommend taking the time to write a legacy letter. It can provide valuable insights for your family and serve as a lasting legacy for years to come.

For a more detailed discussion on this topic, please feel free to contact us. Our team are always available to answer your questions and to help you with any of your financial planning needs. Here’s what we offer: A cup of coffee… and a second opinion.

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